Usually when a bride preps for her big day, she is only surrounded by her bridesmaids and her mother, but for Melissa, getting ready involved a whole band of paparazzi (AKA, her family). After putting on her elegant gown, Melissa descended her childhood home staircase and met a loving tsunami of cameras documenting every step. There was a touching moment when her mother and father both put her veil on her head together.

Melissa and Jeff shared their “I-do’s” at St. Augustine’s Church in Kendall Park, New Jersey. This church holds significance in Melissa’s life because it was the faith community which had supported her throughout life. Father Lou, who officiated the ceremony, was one of Melissa’s old friends from their youth days in this Catholic Church! Its connections like these that make wedding ceremonies more personal and exciting. Father Lou is also a friend from Mare and John’s wedding, an awesome couple that we documented back in 2012.

During the ceremony, we caught Melissa and Jeff peeking at each other’s newly exchanged rings. It was sweet to see them staring in awe at the symbolism for their new life together. After the ceremony, Melissa and Jeff exited the church to a beautiful maze of bubbles, after which we all headed over to the Halo Pub on Princeton University’s campus to treat themselves to ice cream. Yummy! Employees of the ice cream parlor let us go into the back to get some fun photos of the couple feeding each other spoonfuls of ice cream. After our tasty treat, we went to some spots on campus to do some more portraits. We lucked out because there was some absolutely beautiful light which allowed us to take some stunning photos! Later at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, we scored a killer portrait at sunset where the light created a rainbow halo around their heads.

Towards the end of their New Jersey reception, Melissa changed into her authentic, red, Chinese dress, stunning her well-travelled guests. Many of whom travelled across oceans to be with them. Melissa and Jeff, it was an absolute pleasure to come photograph your wedding. We are so happy for the both of you and wish you both the best of luck in the future of your new lives together!